Analyse af 'The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas'

As different as we consider ourselves, we as humans share the same basic needs. We are gregarious and we need to belong somewhere. Selfishness is something that lies deep within us, which can make us go to extreme lengths just to fulfill our desires. Sometimes we may even risk the happiness or wellbeing of others, if it means we get what we want. A great example of when the human egotism is truly shown is in the short story “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas,” Written by Ursua K. Le Guin in the year 1973.

It tells the story of what seems to be a blissful and joyous town in which people live in peace and happiness. Omelas sounds like something taken straight out of a fairytale. The town is in fact such a delightful place that the narrator has a hard time describing just how utopian it actually is; “But I wish I could describe it better. I wish I could convince you.” However, the people of Omelas are aware that such great happiness comes with en equally great price and have therefore created an arrangement. In a cold and dark cellar found under the delightful city, the joyous people of Omelas keep an imbecile child locked away from the shining sun and festive streets. The child is forced to live in misery to ensure the happiness and wellbeing of the rest of the town.